The Osceola times., 1887-02-12
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Passage Of the Bill Amending the Law
Relative to sabbath Breaking.

Passage OF the Bill Amending the Law
Relative to sabbath Bresking.
Senate bill No. 6s, a bill 10 amend the law
relative to Sabbath-breaking, was read
third time. The bill proposes to restors
the Sabbath law OF the State as II was be
fore the act Of 1885, so that religious organ
izations can keep any dey of the week for
Sabbath, provided one day OF the week 10
kept.
Senator Peters made long speech In
favor Of the bill. He believed the bill TO
be eminently proper for class Of people
who are hampered by the law as it now
exists. He drew vivid picture Of the
advancement of the age, showing how the
sunbeam is analyzed; how steam controls
the commercial world and how man plucks
the lightning from the clouds TO subserve
his interest. He regarded Sunday as an
advantageous day set apart by man foi
rest, recreation or jollity. He showed how
all nature demands rest, and how at al
early day man learned this important
truth and set apart the seventh day as
day Of rest. Then how the idea Of ths
seventh day finally had its effect on the
seventh year, and then the seventh son
was regarded with peculiar favor, and the
seventh son Of the seventh son possessed
extraordinary advantages sufficient for the
people TO believe that he possessed the
power to heal diseases.
He could not tell exactly when man saw
fit In his wisdom TO change the Sabbath
from the seventh day of the week to the
first day of the week. But when tho jew
ish nation became incorporated into the
Roman nation, and when the Roman Cath
Ollie Church grew into power 1t saw fit to
change the Sabbath day and to enforce its
mandates. Many crueltes were prac-
ticed He referred to the history Of the
Catholic Church. calling attention to many
Of its deeds in Europe. Also to the perse-
cutions that drove the Puritans to Ameri-
ca. lie showed that this observance of the
Sabbath is the only relic of the ancient Gus
| toms left TO us except the custom of cir
cumcision. This latter custom he showes
by ancient historians was introduced In
| Europe 1900 years ago as q sanitary
measure. IL was adopted by Abraham
and given to the Jews as a divine ordi-
nance, and is sti!l 50 considers, by them.
| He then drew conclusions that the Sabbath
has very ancient origin and has become
| part OF our religion just as circumcision
became a part of the Jewish religion. He
believed that our Sabbath will continue so
| long as our civilization remains. He be-
| lieved in Supreme Being. His reference
to the beauties of nature that compels him
to recognize the power of a Divine hand
were beautiful and imprt ssive.
He regarded the law as IL now stands as
| unconstitutional, standing in violation OF
| the bill OF rights. and tending to prevent
men from pursuing their own happiness
| and worshipping God according to the die
| tates of their own consciences as the con
stitution guarantees. He then, in conclu-
sion, showed that in the beginning the
seventh day Of the week was the Sabbath.
| Now it is the first day of the week, which
| fact alone shows that man has made thi :
| / IN lA " ~
the day, 1t is not 80 guarded by divinity
as to compel its observance by penal law.
| And as there are many classes OF good
| citizens who desire to observe some other
day than the first day of the week, he
| hoped the bill would pass.
Senator Crockett arose. He had hoped
/ flat the voices of Senator J. T.. Williams,
| Senator Byrne and other a bic orators on the
| floor would be raised in favor Of the bill.
Il take shame TO myself" he said, "upon
the act that was passed by the Legislature
| of 1850 upon this matter. Ii was unwise
and hasty legislation that has worked
much damage to the State. Some time ago
| | visited the Northern States to represent
to those people the beauties of our sweet
\ Southern Arkansas. told them of our
/ climate; of our prairies Of our forests Of
our flowers; our rich alluvial soil; our
/ social, friendly people, and | induced
many of them TO come and settle among us.
They have built up homes aud many of
them would be happy il it were not for
their religious opinions. Many of them
lelong to the churches known as Seventh
Day Adveutists and Seventh Day Bap-
lists. They came here expecting that they
would receive the same protection in Ar.
kansas that is accorded them in England,
all the States of Europe, as well as all the
States of the United States, except the
State of Arkansas. These people oonscien-
tiously believe that the divine Sabbath
is the seventh day of the week. They g.
further They propose to strictly obey all
Of the ten commandments. They hold het
the mandate "Six days thou shalt work. -
is as binding as "Thou shalt keep the sew
enth day holy" Therefore they are an in
dustrious people, making most excellent
citizens.
lie showed that an old gentleman at the
head of a family had been thrown in
prison, his only horse and only COW sold @
nay fines for working on the first day OF
the week.
Another young man he induced to come
to the State who had lust married. Tie
Young man was able to buy a small home.
Tie was a aSeventh-Day Baptist and worked
on the first dav of the week, He was ar
rested for violating our Sabbath law, tried
and fined. Being unable TO pay the fine h.
was sent to jail. His young wife left Of
home alone grew weary waiting his re
turn. The rosy bl 'om of health left her
cheeks TO be replaced by the pallor of dis
nase. The end wrs that she lay down and
lied. When the young husbani was re
leased from Jail be hurried home 10 find his
leighbors bearing the remains of all that
was dear TO him ON earth to the grave. H.
" ent with them mournfully and kneelin
town upon the grave he wept as none bu
broken-hearted man can weep, and
when he arose he bid last farewell TO Az
sansas where he had been so cruell,
treated under the operation Of her law.
He concluded with: al love these people
whom am defending. Many of them cam
lere through my influence. | made ther
promises that in Arkansas they could en-
10y peace as well as prosperity. But un
Ter this law these promises cannot be ful
hlled, and | appeal to the Senators here
come TO my relef-to help me to pass tn
law, IL for no other reason. that ma
keep my promises 10 these people"
Senator Hudson spoke but short tim.
lie was proud to see Senator Crockett cor
verted. The law as it stood before 1885 VIZ
as il should be. Ii permitted religious or
ganizations to keep as their Sabbath an
lay OF the week, so that one day in seye
vas kept When the amendment to th
law was offered at the last Legislature
opposed it. then attempted to show tha
il would work hardships upon religious or
ganizations that do not hold the first do
If the week as their Sabbath. The bill
passed then IN spite OF my efforts. I'll
gentleman from Arkansas voted for thu
bill and | am glad to find that he now /
anxious to have n repealed. I hope thi
hill will pass without dissenting vote.
Ayes-Senntors Byrne, Baxter. Caznrt
rrandall, Crockett, Dunawav, Fletche,
Hammons. Hanna, Hudson, John son ,Jones
Logan, Martin, Meek, Peters, Pope, Sim
mons, Smith, Stavton, Tate. Thompsor
thomasson, J. Y. Williams, J. II. william
and Mr. President-9G.